April 25, 2005
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Some People
I love people. I love the stories they tell and the little bits and pieces they reveal without knowing. I love the laughter of friends when they meet on the street - not the laughter of amusement (although that's nice too) the laughter of delight in companionship. That's one of the things that's great about working in a restaurant. People meeting over food tend to be relaxed and comfortable with each other. When I smile, they smile back.
That said, there are always a few who just won't let themselves go enough to enjoy and connect. And I always think as I see them hold themselves aloof that they have no idea how much they are revealing and would probably be embarrassed to realize.
I had one such customer on Saturday. Nothing we did pleased this man. He was unhappy from the moment he was seated. The drink I brought him - wasn't fizzy enough. So we had the manager adjust the CO2 on the drink machine. Once that problem was solved, he had another and another and another. Finally he sent his lunch back to the kitchen because it wasn't "hot enough". When the chef had prepared a second plate (trust me there was nothing wrong with the FIRST one), the man asked for a to-go box. o_0 Like it's going to stay hot while he drives home? Or where ever he was going.
On his way out, he made a comment to the manager that it had been the worst service he'd ever received in a restaurant. Now at this point you'd think (maybe) that I'd be feeling bad. Worried that he was getting me in trouble? But no ... the woman who's been my training partner heard the comment, turned to me, and said, "That man has no idea that your reputation with the management here is much higher than his will ever be." And that's true.
The man had no way of knowing that on the same day he thought he was really making an impact with his complaints, my manager received several very positive comments about the service I was providing. He had no way of knowing that my manager has a built in (ahem - cough - asshole detector - cough - ahem) that caused him to disregard everything that fellow said. He had no way of understanding that the waitress he thought he was putting in her place, felt sorry for the sad unhappy person that he must be. And I thought that my pity would have burned him like acid if he had been able to grasp that reality.
Yesterday, we were busy. VERY busy. According to the schedule, Erika and I were supposed to be working three tables, four in a crunch. When I got there, we had 7 and it never went below that number. It's hard to provide good service to that many tables. But I think we managed it very well. The corporate world is big on talking about teamwork. I'm thinking that a good way for them to really get a feel for it - would be to have them spend a week in a good restaurant. If we don't work together, the level of service drops off and the guests don't have the best experience. But working together? It doesn't matter if that's my table or not, I'm going to swing by and refill your coffee or water, whisk away the empty plate, and respond to your request for a lemon wedge.
This is different from my last experience waiting tables where the servers were so concerned about keeping their table to themselves that it was a matter of offense if you topped off a coffee at a table that didn't "belong" to you. Yesterday, I heard things like "310 and 317 need drink refills." "Can someone take care of 312's request for condiments?" And ... "I'm making salads ... who needs a caesar."
I like my part-time second job, I like the team I'm a part of, and I like knowing that people who come into our restaurant are going to be treated well so all they have to do is sit back, enjoy the meal, and indulge in some of that laughter reserved for delight in companionship.
I'm scheduled there again this morning. Then after the kids are out of school, I'm going downtown to see what the story is with these mortgage loans that I'm working on, I'm not forgetting or neglecting that job. It's a different kind of helping people, but I'm getting feedback there that I'm good at it.
Comments (18)
Some people eh? There will always be those miserable types who justify their existance simply by complaining and dragging down others. Those kinds of toxic people are difficult to be around, which makes them even more angry at the world. I'm glad people are giving you good feedback, too, it just goes to show that there are still those who commend a job well done.
Grumpy people astonish me, you know? I mean...I get grumpy, but I keep it to myself as much as I can because I don't like burdening other people with my crap. When people do that, I feel put out...I really do.
You sound more patient than I am.
F
I am positive I've met that grumpy man! He must have cloned himself and he haunts the entire country.
Speaking of kids...debuted my lil' niece/future gangsta today
Since i did retail for over a decade, you should keep THIS motto in mind---The customer is seldom right, but you got to treat them as if they were
It is great that you like your job. There is an I-Hop in Spokane that has the most efficient waitress we have ever seen. We go there, get one of her tables, and tip generously. She is no friendlier or nicer than the others, but is amazingly quick and sharp. The manager said they get more compliments on her from others, too.
I see so many servers that wear a look of misery, like they want you to know they hate their job. It sounds as if you like yours, or at least are willing to do your best to make the customers enjoy their meal. In my opinion putting all you have into a job, no matter what the job, is a mark of strong character.
Ya know, I've waitressed quite a bit and it's funny, since I've been at both ends of the table, I have never and WILL never EVER send food back or complain about bad service. And I always overtip. Sometimes I even tip better when I can see that the waitress is having a bad day.
Trust me... you will make MORE waiting tables than writing loans. And I am not just talking cash either.
Sail on... sail on!!!
"People meeting over food tend to be relaxed and comfortable with each other. " YA, GREAT
ENJOY LAUGHTER! ENJOY LIFE!
Yep. I ran into a few types like this when I used to pump gas at a Clark station. One guy wanted me to check the oil, wash the windows, wipe off his headlights, and a few other tasks all while I was trying to service other cars and running the station alone.
Yes, some people have a power trip over making wait-staff do their bidding. This is because they never had any REAL power. Some restaurants bar these jokers.
Hi there , I loved working as a waitress . Maybe that sound's stange to some , but no , it's a good feeling knowing you have done your best and they have enjoyed their meal . Like you said most are relaxed and in good spirit's when they comei n . I worked at The Plantation Ember's Restaurant before it closed down . There were always a few people who complained , as you described , I never let it worry me either as I knew I had done my best and the food was usually perfecto there . I made alot of money there ....tip's add up ! lol This Restaurant was also part of a motel so we had many people traveling and it was a joy to hear some other accent for a little bit . It feel's good to make other's feel good so I loved working there , way better than being a dental assistant , my last job . Paid pathetic and all the people were afraid .. lol I didn't blame them though , and they were definatley not relaxed !
I am happy this job is fulfilling for you .
Not fizzy enough?! I've never heard of such a silly thing!
So cool that you're enjoying your job. I've never been very good at waitressing but I always tip 'em well.
Brother! You handled that with great aplomb! You're going to be such an asset to the restaurant, I know. I know you have like zero spare time, but I think you'd enjoy reading Waiting by Debra Ginsburg. She talks about her decades of waiting tables to provide for her son and some of the weird people upon whom she waited.
Hang in there!
Sheeeesh -- that poor idiot. Do you suppose the rest of his life is just the same? And do you suppose anyone loves him? My suggestion is to print this out (with comments), put it in an envelope, and wait for the day he comes back (which I bet he will; where else would anyone pay any attention to his grumpy little self?). Slip it in his coat pocket and let him read it at leisure. It's probably the closest to a love letter he'll ever get
.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the people-ness of waitressing. Certainly seems like the best thing to grasp onto as a perk of a really, really tough job: lots of grist for the mill!
Glad you are enjoying your job. I did enjoy my restaurant experience and I know how some people you just can't please. They must really be unhappy inside. I never did wait tables...I did dishes, food prep and also bussing....
You are such a busy lady!! whew
I would like to go to a restaurant that has people like you working there, although I might not be comfortable having you wait on me. I would probably be more comfortable if you sat down and joined me for awhile and told me about one of your current books.
Fortunately, the ass-holes of the world can't stand each other well enough to unite into a cohesive unit, otherwise, we'd all be in trouble. Singularly they can't cause a whole lot of trouble, just a little annoyance.
See, I knew you are a people person!
Mike
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